FORT MILL, S.C.—Continental Tire the Americas has released two 30-second television commercial spots featuring sports talk show host Dan Patrick, which will air nationally in support of the tire maker's 31 university partnerships and 12 tournament sponsorships.
The two commercial spots, titled “Distractor” and “Buzzer Beater,” were filmed at the Barclay's Center Arena last month and focus on the important role fans play in the game of basketball. According to a news release, Patrick's dry wit and passion for the game helped to create an “Ode to Basketball” feel.
“Well, what I loved is I thought Continental was understanding of me and the show that I do and my personality because I didn't want to just do a commercial,” Patrick, host of the Dan Patrick Show, said in a statement. “I wanted to do one that we could have fun, making fun of me in the process. Maybe they did it a little too well.”
Continental also invites college basketball fans to join in the conversation and share their favorite basketball moments, memories and traditions on social media using #OdeToBasketball.
Both television spots will air nationally beginning Nov. 14 and will appear during college basketball games broadcast on FOX, ESPN and the CBS Sports Network as well as regional networks Raycom Sports, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, Big 10 Network and Big 12 Network.
“We were thrilled that Dan signed on for these commercials in support of our college basketball program,” Travis Roffler, director of marketing for Continental Tire, said in the news release. “We want fans to know that we understand their passion for college basketball, and we love the game, too. Dan was a great way to help deliver this message to such a dedicated audience.”
Since 2014, Continental has partnered with several universities in support of basketball. Those university partnerships include: Arizona, Baylor, Boston College, Butler, UConn, Duke, Florida, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana State, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, St. John's, Syracuse, Texas, Louisville, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Seton Hall, Wisconsin, Villanova, USC and the Big Ten Conference.
Michigan State, Florida State and Miami (Florida) were added as Continental-sponsored schools starting with the 2016-17 college basketball season.
Through its partnership agreements, Continental will implement 34 in-arena activations at games across the country that will include branded student section giveaways.
Additionally, Continental Tire becomes the exclusive official sponsor of the 2016-17 season-long overtime broadcast segments on ESPN.